warnings: swearing, angst, mentions of sex, mentions of partying, talks of abuse, very little mentions of cheating, mentions of violence, mentions of drinking, suggestive, use of pet names
characters: exbf!matt x partygirl!reader
summary: exbf!matt and partygirl!reader finally clear the air between them
wc: 5.9k
no, i'm speaking: can you point out the 5sos/1D reference?
alternate universe: 💿disconnected
You've been in Boston for a few days now, spending most of your time hanging out with Nick or the boys' mom. You and Matt had given each other some space during those days. He was either hanging out with his brothers, his friends, or his parents. You kept it very cordial between the two of you. Your words and conversations were short with forced politeness. But your looks lingered whenever you thought the other wasn't looking. Matt definitely noticed you wearing his old t-shirt to bed every single night. It felt kind of unfair to him. That you were keeping up this awkward space between you two, yet you were dressed in his clothes, the way he liked it. You acted like a stranger, but you didn't look like one. You were far from one.
He wasn’t helping his case either. He was also keeping his distance, mostly trying to prioritize the space that you wanted. He was more upset because he thought after that conversation you had outside the bathroom, about how you two were going to talk, you would stop with the pretending—pretending like none of this was happening between you two.
You were now hanging out in Nick's room with him and his mom. You and Nick were both getting ready to go out with his friends, his mom being there to both help you get dressed and listen to you rant about her son. She was on your side all of the time. But she also kept it real with you.
She was always in your corner, no matter what. You and her have sat down and had many serious talks about your relationship with Matt since you two started dating. Matt was far from abusive, but as a woman, you could never be too careful. She had told you countless of times that if things ever got to that point or if he messed up in anyway, you could always come to her and she would help you out no matter the circumstances. And she meant it, wholeheartedly. He may be her son, but she was always willing to look out for you.
It was nice knowing that she would be there for you in that way. So, anytime Matt would do something that you didn’t appreciate, you didn’t hesitate to go to his mom about it. You were that comfortable with her. And she was always there to give you the advice you needed to hear. Matt would sometimes get pissed off that you ‘tattled’ on him to his mom. Even so, his behavior would change.
You observed your outfit in Nick's mirror, gold bangles jingling together as you tugged on the white tank top, 'Bebe' bedazzled onto your chest. "He's just been acting so weird after that whole thing happened the first night here. I thought we were supposed to talk about things."
You noticed that Matt had been keeping you at arms length and it irked you. Yes, you were kind of trying to avoid him too. You just weren’t sure where you stood with him now or how you were supposed to go about things, and it made you a little awkward.
In the past, you would’ve already been back together by now. He’d pop up right back into your life, leaning in close and letting his cologne devour all of your senses and rational thoughts while he told you the things you wanted to hear. Then you’d be right back in his grip, him kissing you while you tried your best not to fold.
Nick's mom sat on his bed, looking at you in the mirror with a soft smile. She always adored you. And she adored you even more when you were here, in her house, including her in the gossip while getting ready with her. She loved having these little moments with you since you came into her life, and the feelings were reciprocated. You were the daughter she never knew she wanted.
"I think he's just been trying to give you some space, honey. Let both of you get into a better headspace." She rationalized. And it made sense to you. It always made sense coming from her. Probably because you actually listened to her more than you did with Matt.
Matt picked up on that quick and anytime you two were having a moment or you did something to piss him off, he would call or text his mom to tell her about it. Because she was always on your side, she often asked him what he did to provoke it. It frustrated him sometimes but it also made him realize that he was acting out of line during those moments.
Nick clapped his hands in agreement. "Yeah, we know how hot-headed you two are. This whole house might blow up if you two get into a fight." Nick was dressed in a black t-shirt and his fun shorts with all his accessories hanging off of them. He had asked you to do some light makeup on him while getting ready to go out.
Nick loved it whenever you did his makeup, you hyped him up every single time. His favorite was the highlighter you would put on him, his cheekbones glimmering in pictures whenever the flash hit it just right.
You shot Nick a look. "You're one to talk about being hot-headed. You scream at anyone for anything. In fact, the whole house already blew up the other day because someone asked you a stupid question."
Nick's mouth flew open at your retort while his mom let out a hearty laugh.
"Don't act like you wouldn't do the same if someone asked you a dumbass question."
His mom got up from the bed, walking over to where you two were standing and patting you both on the shoulder. "Remember that you love each other." She joked, like she was trying to mediate a fight between two siblings. "Have fun tonight, be safe, and call me if you need anything." She gave you both a kiss on the cheek before walking out of the room.
You both mumbled a ‘goodnight, love you’ before she disappeared.
You picked up your purse, making sure you had everything you needed inside. The most essential thing being your digital camera that had captured so many of your important memories.
“You ready? Our ride is here.” Nick picked up his own bag as well.
“Obviously I’m ready.” You bounced on your feet, feeling very excited.
Nick gave you a funny look. “Alright, don’t piss your pants over it. A night out in Boston is nothing like LA.”
“No shit. I’ve been out in both cities plenty of times.” You patted Nick’s shoulder. “Thank you, my lovely tour guide for showing me all the ways. Even the alley where drunk people go to hook up.”
“Ugh,” Nick shuddered at the memory, “that was not on purpose. I genuinely didn’t even know that was there.”
Nick lead the way out of the room but stopped short. “Oh my god what the hell do you two want?”
You peeked your head out of his room, curious to see what had him so irritated.
Matt and Chris were both moving towards Nick’s room. The flannel jacket Matt had wrapped you up in countless of times was spread over his shoulders, zipped up to the middle of his chest. The first thought you had was that he looked hot; the second thought you had was that he looked hot. Why would anyone wear a heavy flannel jacket in the middle of summer?
Matt stopped directly in front of you. Nick tried to position himself between the two of you, a protective stance taking over.
Matt’s gaze traveled over your outfit, unashamed and a little hungry. His pupils dilated when his eyes caught on your thighs, the cutoff shirts giving him plenty of surface area to look at. If you were still together, he’d already make a comment about the shorts, or the way your tank top fit you so perfectly, he couldn’t imagine it on anyone else. You kept your eyes focused on his head, trying not to look at him. But that wasn’t a good choice either because he had his hat on backwards. Every time he did that, all you wanted to do was scream the word slut. You didn’t know the science behind why men got ten times hotter whenever they flipped their hat backwards, but it needed to be studied. It had such a universal effect.
“What do you two want?” Nick asked, his eyes moving between his two brothers suspiciously.
Matt tore his gaze away from you. “Can I ruin your plans tonight? There’s something I want… or need to do.”
Nick scoffed, crossing his arms impatiently. “Seriously? Your timing is so shit! You literally chose to do this while our ride is literally outside?”
Matt glanced at you fleetingly before returning his focus to Nick. “Please? It’s important.”
Nick gasped. “Please?” He repeated. “Okay, wow. This must really be important if your bitch ass is saying please.”
Both his brothers rolled their eyes at his theatrics.
Matt’s attention returned to you as he spoke. “Can I take you out tonight? We don’t have to do anything. I mostly just want to talk.” He paused, actually looking nervous. “And I think we need to talk.”
It was very rare that you witnessed Matt feeling uncomfortable with his emotions. He was the most in tune with his feelings. Seeing how nervous he was softened you up a bit. That look he had on his face, him dressed like that, you were no doubt going to give in.
You wondered if he wore the hat on purpose, trying to derail you. All you could think about right now is how hot his face would look, with that hat on, right between your thighs. Or pressing you against the wall, turning his hat backwards so he can kiss you harder. All things holy and clean left the room.
“What?” Nick exclaimed. “Who’s supposed to go out with me now? Why didn’t you ask her earlier?”
Chris jumped in, wrapping an arm around Nick’s shoulders and squeezing him in close. “I figured we could have a grand time together tonight. You, me, our friends that we haven’t seen in so long.” He smiled sheepishly.
Had they seriously been plotting this? You imagined Matt asking Chris for help on how to get you alone with him tonight, and it was kind of cute.
Nick gave both of his brothers an irritated look which then changed into a concerned one when looking at you.
“Don’t worry about it.” You spoke before Nick could say anything. “You and Chris go ahead. I’ll be fine.” You waved a hand at both of the dismissively. “Don’t get Chris too drunk.”
Chris pumped his chest. “I can handle my liquor.”
You tilted your head. “Tell that to my fucking coffee table you broke last month.”
His bravado went away immediately. The sheepish smile returning to his face. “I’ll make sure Nick has plenty of fun tonight.” He shook Nick’s shoulders.
The two of them started making their way out, leaving you and Matt.
“Don’t kill each other!” Nick added over his shoulder.
Matt waited till he heard the car pull out of the driveway before he spoke. “First, you needa change.”
You looked down at your outfit, feeling a little sad you didn’t get the occasion to wear it out. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”
Matt placed his hands on your hips, guiding you backwards into Nick’s room. To hell with space, he’d given you plenty and he’d spent way too long not feeling you under his hands. “It ain’t suitable for a walk in the park.”
You didn’t push his hands off. You didn’t want to. You liked the feeling of him on you. Even if it were just his pinkie finger brushing past your skin, you’d still crave it.
“We’re going to a park?” You deadpan, looking up at him.
The corner of his mouth lifted in amusement. “Don’t act so excited. Might hurt yourself.”
He removed his hands, giving you space to change. You bent over into your suitcase, grabbing a different outfit. “You really fucked up my plans with Nick to take me to a fucking park? At night too?” You straightened up, clutching the sweatshirt and shorts in hour hand, facing Matt.
He wasn’t looking at your face. He was sat on Nick’s bed, leaning back onto his hands, eyes completely glued to your ass and thighs. He was entranced and didn’t even try to hide it.
He actually had to swallow hard, his mouth beginning to water. It made him feel ridiculous, how desperate he was for you.
You bent down a little, trying to catch his eyes. “Hello? Paging, Matthew Sturniolo.” You called out, attempting to bring his attention back.
He lifted his eyes to you, meeting your unamused look. “Sorry.” He panted, shaking out of his thoughts and trying to think of something else to prevent the boner he felt coming on. “What’s wrong with the park at night? Everything is so much more peaceful at night.”
You toed off the boots you were wearing. “You know what happens to women at parks at night?” You paused, holding a finger up. “Actually, you know what happens to women at parks at night when there’s men?”
He snorted, mouth slipping into a half smile. “I had and still have zero intention of committing any physical harm to you, pretty girl.” He brought a hand up to scratch his beard. “And you never worry about that stuff when you’re out late at parties.”
“Pfft,” You huffed. “Not my point. And I’m with friends”
The smile grew on his face. “And you kinda turn into a beast when you’re drunk. I remember when you cussed out some guy so bad he actually stood facing the corner the rest of the night. Unfortunately, I’m not excluded from that line of fire.”
“Yes, thank you.” You grinned.
“Sounded like you were admiring, actually.”
“No, I wasn’t.” He said, still smiling at you.
“Whatever, just get out so I can change.” You pointed at the door.
Matt made no move to leave. He just tilted his head to the side, pushing his bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout. “I don’t get to watch? Don’t get shy on me now.”
You clutched your clothes to your chest like you were already exposed. “What? No!” You stammered.
Together or not, him being in the same room as you while you changed would just make you feel so flustered. He never could keep his eyes—or hands—off of you. You were supposed to be putting up more of a fight, not letting him dig his way back into your life so easily.
He let out a small laugh and stood up from the bed. He was loving this. Loving the banter between you too. Everything almost felt normal again. Him getting under your skin just to see that pissed off look on your face, then making it go away. He went fucking feral for it.
“I was just teasin’ ya.” He muttered before walking out, giving you a final look.
You gave your party outfit one last, sad, look in the mirror. Then you peeled it off before slipping into a more comfortable pair of shorts and a sweatshirt. Yeah, you judged Matt for wearing his heavy ass jacket, but you weren't used to Boston weather, that was your excuse. You slid your feet into your sandals and picked up your purse again, you didn’t bother going through it to leave stuff at home. And who knows, maybe you’ll need a long hit of your vape after a night with Matt.
You emerged from Nick’s room, Matt lingering outside, his head curved over his phone.
“Ready?” He asked, lifting his head up and sliding his phone into his pocket.
You nodded in response, following him out to the car.
Prior to arriving at the park, Nick spammed your phone with messages. Most of them are discussing an escape plan with you. The others are encouraging you to talk to Matt.
Matt pulled into a parking spot, the streetlights of the park illuminating the darkness, making this all seem like a secret rendezvous.
He turned to you after shutting the engine off. "We're here."
You shot him a look. "Yeah, bitch, I can see."
He just smiled at that. Even if it was a smartass comment from you, he at it the fuck up. He especially loved it when he was the one to shut you up, your quips dwindling down to just little tiny whimpers. Fuck, he was obsessed.
"And I think we should turn our phones off while we're here."
You gave him a suspicious look. "Why? Should I be searching you for any weapons?"
He sucked on his teeth, trying to control the smile threatening to break out on his face. "I'm not trying to murder you, I swear. Jus wanna experience some actual human connection with you." His eyes dropped down to your hands, gold rings snug and stacked on each finger, "But if you wanna search me, you have my full permission. Get into every crevice if ya need to." His mind wandered to those hands, gliding across his warm skin, your rings doing nothing to cool it down, having the opposite effect.
Your face twisted up. "You're so gross."
He was seriously testing your self-control. The movement of his tongue drew your eyes to his mouth. He knew you were looking, this fucking asshole. It was getting harder for you to stay composed with each look he gave you. You knew that if he could, he would keep going until you were squirming in your seat.
He took his seatbelt off; you mirrored his actions. He twisted in his seat to face you, resting his arm on the steering wheel. "I know that's a fucking lie. You used to never look disgusted with your hands wrapped 'round my dick."
He was getting off track now. He didn't bring you here to try and do anything else but talk. But the visible blush on your cheeks and the effort to keep your breathing even were spurring him on. He wanted to keep pushing, see how far he had to go until those fucking hands were scrambling towards him.
Your lips parted in shock at the audacity of him. The way he could just dismantle your thoughts with one look and then scramble them with his words. You hated the way you had to grip the side of the door, your hands actually itching for him. You had no coherent words or thoughts.
He sat back, looking like a wolf that had just successfully cornered its prey. "C'mon. Let's take a walk." He opened the door, acting as if he didn't just do all of that. With a backwards hat on too, it was completely irritating.
He was absolutely relishing every second of your flustered state. How quickly you went from being mouthy to completely silent. He was having a fucking time.
You got out of the car after him, hearing the lock click seconds after you shut the door. You rounded to the front of the car where he was waiting, your legs feeling dangerously shaky.
"Phones off." He reminded, shutting his own down.
You pulled yours out, sending a quick text to Nick and Chris to not worry about you and that you wouldn't be answering for a while. You powered yours down, too, shoving it back into the abyss of your purse.
Your head swiveled around, taking in your surroundings. "Ominous as hell." You commented, looking back to Matt.
"Don't worry. The scariest thing you're going to see here is a dead bug." He nodded his head towards the trail ahead. "C'mon."
"The scariest thing I'm seeing right now is you." You walked beside him, keeping a leisurely pace.
He chuckled at that, looking over at you. "I thought you weren't scared of anything?"
You threw your head back with an exasperated sigh. "Don't take shit so literally."
You both walked in silence for a few moments, taking in the scenery of the park at night. It was actually peaceful like this. Just you and nature, no notifications blowing up your phone. You always felt comforted in the presence of Matt. It was easy for you to forget that; you felt like your mind was always full of how to curate a way to share your life with your thousands of followers. It wasn't about trying to create this image that your life was perfect all the time, it was just something you enjoyed, being able to update your friends on everything you were doing.
While Matt was used to sharing snippets of his life with the internet and strangers knowing things about him, he always preferred to be in the present of it all. Your favorite memory with him was when you took a midnight hike on the Griffith Observatory Trails. You got up there in time to see the city lights turn on. He tried to keep you off your phone the whole time, and you really appreciated it. You were actually in the moment when you watched the city you grew up in come to life. It made you nostalgic, how you missed this opportunity one too many times because you were just trying to capture the picture right.
You both were a bit of a victim to the worldwide system. But it was those quiet, unplugged moments that made you realize you found your sweet escape when alone with each other.
"You can ask me anything, ya know? I do want to clear the shit up between us." Matt finally broke the silence.
A million questions flooded to the front; your mouth was not catching up with your brain. "The girls." You blurted out the most pressing question.
Matt nodded, shoving his hands into his shorts pockets. He expected that to be the first thing you brought up. It was a sick routine he had every time you two broke up. He'd try to show up wherever you were, but with another girl on his arm. It was completely to piss you off. He was never interested in anyone but you. And he found it so hot seeing you struggle to contain your jealousy. He wanted to be branded by you in any way possible.
In a twisted way, he loved the high he got from flirting with other girls. He was completely loyal to you when you were together. But whenever you weren't, he'd have someone perched on his lap doing all the talking for him. But he'd always be thinking about you. How you'd fight back, challenge him, never making it easy for him.
"They're not important to me." He stated truthfully.
"Not important to you?" You repeated, halting your steps to face him. "Then why do you keep doing it? Do they know that?"
He looked back at you, confused. "What do you mean, do they know that? Of course, some of them don't realize that they don't have a chance. They never do because it's always going to be you."
You didn't even care about the last words he said, your anger starting to surface. "So you don't tell them that? You lead these girls on and let them believe that you actually like them?"
He was amazed at how easily you defended those other girls. Yeah, you did get jealous, but you never brought other women down over it. He was used to it with you, but in the bigger picture, it was unusual.
He huffed out a laugh, which earned a sharp look from you. He was supposed to be serious. "That's what you're mad about? That I'm leading people on?"
You smacked his arm, like that was the most obvious thing he could have said. "Fucking duh! It's so icky to do that. How would your mother feel knowing this?"
He had to bite back a smile at the smack. "My mother would be very disappointed in me, so don't tell her. I know you're quick with that." He teased. "And I won't ever do that again."
It didn't do anything to settle your anger about those girls being led on. But it was already done, and you couldn't go back and change it. You felt really bad for them and were tempted to smack him on the head. His mom had raised him better, and he'd heard it countless times from you already how disgusting it was. That was what you appreciated least about him doing this, trying to diminish the worth of these girls.
"Is that all you had to say about that?" He tilted his head down towards you. "It didn't bother you that I was with other girls?"
He was trying to see if you would take the bait and fight him on it now. He wanted to hear that you still wanted him as much as he wanted you.
You narrowed your eyes at him. "What do you think?"
"I want to hear you say it."
You gave a slow shake of your head. "Aren't we supposed to be asking each other questions? Isn't it your turn now?"
"Okay." He grinned. "How did it make you feel seeing me with other girls?"
You gave him an unimpressed look at his attempt to stay on the topic. He knew how you felt. How you wanted it to be you. But you weren't going to give him the satisfaction of admitting it.
He caught the look on your face. "Okay, fine. I'm going to ask about the condom, and I want you to be honest with me."
You chewed on the inside of your mouth, preparing to tell him everything. "You can't get mad at me because we are technically broken up."
He huffed. "I'm going to get mad anyway."
You figured he would, you just needed to remind him that what you did wasn't wrong. "I was trying to hook up with some guy in my car." You said quietly, actually feeling a bit of shame.
His face hardened, blank and cold. You knew he was fighting back a million arguments and curses. "Trying to?" He tried to keep his voice steady, fighting off the image of you pressed against the back seat of your car–your lips parted and letting out little puffs of air–the same reaction he would get whenever he would slide his tongue across your sweet skin.
You saw the sudden flash of intensity in his eyes, and you could almost see his thoughts playing out. Your fingers latched onto one of your rings, twisting it around. "We didn't get anywhere. My chin was wet before my shoes could even come off." You admitted.
An amused breath escaped him. "You got the ick then?"
He felt a little triumphant with that information you provided. He let himself get cocky because nobody else could kiss you like he could. Nobody else could worship your candy-like lips like he could, sucking and pressing his own lips to them just right.
You nodded. "I pretended like I had an emergency call and told him to get out of my car."
It was a bit awkward recounting that night. The whole event itself was awkward. You hoped you never had to retell it. But, of course, it had to come out to Matt eventually. You weren't sure if he was going to be upset at the fact that you were with another guy, or find it funny that the guy couldn't even make it far.
He slipped out of his dark mood into a more amused one. "Was it the coworker guy, or some random?"
"Not the coworker, he actually is just a friend. But not some random either."
"So you know this guy?" He asked, fixing you with a hard stare.
You continued twisting the ring on your finger, focusing your gaze anywhere but him. "I don't, like, know him, know him. Friend of a friend type shit."
You lifted your eyes to him briefly, catching the hard look on his face, then your eyes dropped back down to your rings. "Nobody fucking plans to hook up in the car."
He gave a slow movement of his head, up and down. "Spontaneous is more your thing." He paused, dissecting the confession. "How'd it lead up to that?"
Part of him knew it would actually make him shake with anger and jealousy, hearing how you ended up with this guy in your car. But the other part wanted to know if it was a mindless choice, heightened by whatever environment you were in.
You lifted a hand and twisted a strand of your hair around your finger, observing your split ends. "I was at a friend's house, and there were a lot of people there. Chill hang out. He started flirting with me, and I flirted back and... yeah."
"Huh, so you thought he was cute." He vocalized his thoughts. He absolutely didn't want to think about your nails trailing down another guy's arms. Or the way you probably looked up at him with your pouty lips and feathery lashes. His hand curled into a fist in his pocket.
You lifted a shoulder, still checking for split ends. "He wasn't, like, bad."
What you weren't saying, and you weren't going to, was that he wasn't Matt. The top ten hottest guys in the world could throw themselves at you, and you would still fucking choose Matt.
Matt knew you had every right to find whoever you wanted attractive. But it panicked him a little, the thought of someone you found attractive coming to sweep you away from him. But he was cocky enough to know that would never realistically happen. He'd know exactly how to get you back. It was a dance you both did so many times that he could do it with his eyes closed.
He cleared his throat, attempting to clear his thoughts. "So, that answers the whole condom shit. I'll admit, I'm fucking relieved you didn't fuck him." He tried to look at the silver lining of it all. He kind of felt bad for the guy, not getting a chance to experience and worship the body he would get on his fucking hands and knees for.
You finally looked up at him, dropping the piece of your hair you were playing with. "Yeah, you probably would've accused me of cheating and ran with it." It was a passive-aggressive jab to the bullshit song he played after finding the condom.
His gaze sharpened on you. "And how would you have reacted if you found underwear in my car?"
You sucked in a breath; you should have expected him to fire back. "I'd hope whatever baddie it belonged to wasn't missing it."
He rolled his eyes at you. "Be fucking serious, please."
"Okay, yeah, I wouldn't be happy either and maybe feel betrayed." You stumbled over your words a little, hating that you were disclosing this to him.
He had to force his mouth into a flat line, trying not to smile. "Just say you'd be jealous. Then you'd freak out on me until I fucked you and made it all better."
His eyes zeroed in on your face, watching for the reaction he wanted. You felt the heat from his words travelling all over your body, starting at the tips of your fingers and washing all throughout, reaching your cheeks and tinting them pink.
God, those pink fucking cheeks. He just wanted to hold them in his hands while he said even more words to you, turning them even more pink, feeling them grow hot in his hands.
You had to look away, the moment turning far too intense for you. "How do you know these girls anyway?"
"Also friends of friends. I don't go for anyone I'm going to see again." Yeah, he was absolutely drinking this shit up now. It wasn't going to be long until one of you was crawling to the other, begging for some relief. If he just kept on pressing the right buttons, you'd be cumming on his hand soon.
"Ugh, that's so... typical of men. Do you have no remorse? You seriously plan this shit every time we break up?"
You hated knowing this information about him. If the girls had known he'd never contact them again, maybe you wouldn't be so upset. You actually hoped some of them made him feel like a fucking idiot for it.
Hearing it from you, he actually did feel like a dick for it. He wanted to wipe that look of disgust from your face. It admittedly made him feel a little sick. "Don't look at me like that, please. I can't–"
You looked at him, your lips curled with distaste. "Answer my fucking questions."
His eyebrows scrunched up at the look on your face. "No, I don't plan it. It's just... makes me miss you a little less."
"Your communication is fucked."
He would rather try not to think of you, than grovel over you. You couldn't really blame him, because you did the same. It was like you went to war; who would break first?
"That's kind of our thing, sweetheart." He gave you a wry smile.
You sighed, knowing he was right. Both of you were too stubborn to really tell the other how it really is. You much preferred provoking each other, pushing each other to the breaking point.
"And, I regret every fucking thing I said to you, about you not becoming successful. It was a dick move. You're doing fucking amazing for yourself." He added after a beat of silence.
It was what you wanted to hear. That he wished he could eat up those words he spat at you. But there still wasn't an apology there and you weren't going to beg him for one.
"I love you, you know? So much. I wish I could take back everything I said that night. Maybe we wouldn't be here if I hadn't judged you so hard." He needed to say those words; they had been trapped in his brain for months. Each time you would walk past him and give him a dismissive look was like a knife to the gut.
It was an unwanted feeling for both of you. Passing each other without even saying a word, even though you knew every fucking thing about each other.
"Yeah, maybe." You said, voice softer now. Your brain was stuck on the words he hadn't uttered in so long. The soft way he was saying it, you just wanted to crawl into his lap and let him hold you while he peppered kisses against your shoulder.
"We still mad at each other, or are you finally going to stop treating me like a stranger?"
You breathed out, actually feeling some of the tension leaving your shoulders. "I think you can upgrade from bitchass ex-boyfriend to just ex-boyfriend now."
He felt actual relief washing over him at your snarky tone. You both were back on track now, moving away from that uncharted territory. "Wow, a promotion." He quipped, reaching out to brush some of your hair from your shoulder, just wanting some contact with you.
"So, what now?" You asked, letting his touch linger and drinking it in.
